YOU SAY YOUR FRIENDS WAKE TOOK PLACE IN THE CHICAGO SUBURBS, the funeral home should have known about this law. May you friend rest in peace, and may your family find peace and friends with the riders that were hepful that day.
May 17, 2006
Gov. Blagojevich signs “Let Them Rest in Peace Act” allowing families to peacefully grieve fallen soldiers
New law makes protesting within 200 feet of a funeral or memorial service a crime
SPRINGFIELD – Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today signed a new law to shield grieving military families from protests during funerals and memorial services of fallen soldiers. Senate Bill 1144, the “Let Them Rest in Peace Act,” requires protesters to stay at least 200 feet away from family and friends as they mourn soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice. The Governor signed the law today after learning of a potential protest at the upcoming funeral of an Effingham man who was killed in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan earlier this month. Members of the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas, who have staged numerous disruptive and disrespectful protests during funerals for fallen soldiers, told local authorities and state officials they plan to picket Christopher Donaldson’s services, which will take place on Friday.
“It is unfathomable to me that anyone would stage a protest at a funeral. How can any decent person think that disturbing a family grieving the death of any loved one, let alone the death of one of our soldiers, is acceptable? It’s not, and the law I’m signing today makes that clear by making protesting within 200 feet of a funeral a crime in Illinois,” said Governor Blagojevich.
“No grieving military family should be subjected to vile epithets and disruptive protests at the funeral service of their loved one who has made the ultimate sacrifice for our country,” said Lt. Governor Pat Quinn, who has attended every funeral of fallen Illinois soldiers from the War on Terror in Iraq and Afghanistan. “The Let Them Rest in Peace Act protects the First Amendment religious rights of families to bury their dead with reverence and dignity, and everyone in the Land of Lincoln believes in this fundamental principle of human decency.”
The “Let Them Rest in Peace Act,” an initiative of Lt. Gov. Quinn sponsored by Sen. Arthur “A.J.” Wilhelmi (D-Crest Hill) and Rep. Brandon Phelps (D-Harrisburg), was created in response to a series of disruptions at funeral services for Illinois military personnel in the past year, and applies to all funerals and memorial services in Illinois.
The new law protects grieving family members and friends by putting a 200-foot privacy zone between the funeral site and protestors who sing loudly, play music, chant, whistle, yell, or make any other type of disturbing noise. SB 1144 also prohibits protesters from displaying any visual images that convey fighting words or threats against any other person, and makes it illegal to knowingly obstruct a person’s entry or exit from a funeral site. Disruptive and inflammatory protests will be prohibited 30 minutes before a funeral, during a funeral, and 30 minutes after the funeral within that 200-foot privacy zone.
“It is unfortunate that we have to pass legislation like this, but it is so important so families can grieve their loved ones in peace, without the interference of disrespectful protesters,” said Rep. Phelps. “We all value our right to free speech. But there are appropriate times and places to protest, and a funeral is not one of them. This legislation will finally help ensure that recent disruptive protests during the funerals of some fallen soldiers won't happen to other families in Illinois.”
“It is our intent with this legislation to protect the rights of families to grieve peacefully for their loved one who has been killed fighting to protect our freedom,” Sen. Wilhelmi said. “I’m happy to have worked with Lt. Governor Pat Quinn on this important initiative.”
A first time violation of the Act is a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a $1,500 fine and a Class 4 felony for a second or subsequent offense, which is punishable by one to three years in state prison and a fine of up to $25,000.
The new law is effective immediately.
2006-11-10 11:47:00
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answer #1
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answered by Littlebigdog 4
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Do you realize that your friend died so these damn fools could do what they are doing! Sounds bizarre I know, but these people are protesting war and this is how they do it.
I often wonder how many of these people would be out there if they had been on the fiftieth floor or so, of the WTC when it was struck by airplanes, or if their family was one of those victims. You see, these people haven't had the rude awakening that so many Americans have had as a result of jihad.
This action on their part will inevitably cost these people some serious harm. It would only take one individual in a speeding automobile to do some real damage. When emotions are already running high and people are suffering the loss of their loved ones, they sometimes lose control, and that is when it will most likely happen.
What judge and jury could convict with such extenuating circumstances?
2006-11-10 12:59:37
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answer #2
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answered by briang731/ bvincent 6
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I have heard of these people time and time again; it's very sad because the idea of crushing the last memories of losing a loved one is drowned out in motorcycle engines and protest shouting. I am so very sorry for your loss and I am so saddened that your final moments are such a nightmare.
I wish I could offer your family my deepest condolences closer but since I can't I'll keep them in my prayers.
Americans need to understand that soldiers are doing a job protecting this country. They CHOSE to defend this country, and should be given ALL the respect and love and support possible. After all, in other countries, if you protested AT all, you'd wind up lost in a shallow grave or just disappearing in the night with your family.
American soldiers do a job that is thankless, dangerous, and selfless. These protesters will one day suffer a loss and won't remember the misery they gave a family who lost someone for a cause. The cause may not be right (in someones opinion) but it should not be mocked when a life ends for it.
Always in my prayers....
Jaime
2006-11-10 11:44:57
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answer #3
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answered by El Santo Gordo 3
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These people are not normal - by any stretch of anyones imagination. This is truly an act of a sick group of people.
As far as anyone "going over and slug them" is concerned, I feel there is plenty of provocation here to justify this type of response - and I don't think they would have much of a case if they tried to sue.
Unfortunately, as tempting as this might be, it would only bring them more publicity and worse, it would completely disrupt the wake or funeral - a solemn occasion for reflection and respect.
It's really sad that some people can be so brain dead and ignorant as to think that this type of behavior will win converts to their cause.
Sad, indeed.
2006-11-10 11:54:38
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answer #4
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answered by LeAnne 7
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I was against the war in Iraq from the beginning, but I would NEVER fault our soldiers for doing their duty. What you said is so far over the edge, it wouldn't surprise me either if someone attacked these people. I think I would probably do it myself, if I had a friend or relative who died and was abused.
Those people - professional suers - are the absolute scum of the earth - right down there with pedophiles!
Someone should photograph them, sue them, throw garbage at them and post their disgusting photos all over the Internet, so everyone knows who they are.
2006-11-10 11:43:45
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answer #5
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answered by Zelda Hunter 7
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That's awful. I've protested the war but never at a funeral and I've never held a sign saying Thank God for Dead Soldiers. In my high school class that graduated 108, 4 of my classmates have died over there. I'm really sorry for your loss. I know how you feel.
2006-11-10 11:38:34
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answer #6
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answered by Netta 3
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They are a self righteous, I'm sorry, "religious" group that is protesting the Don't Ask/Don't Tell policy in the military.
Public Officials tried to stop this garbage and, believe it or not, a judge has said that they have the "Constitutional Right" to be insensitive jerks. Oops I meant to protest.
Let's here for Hell's Angels for exercising their Rights!!!
2006-11-10 11:49:43
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answer #7
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answered by liberal democratic republican 2
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I can believe it because there are people out there that are so perverse that they have no place in a civilized society. That they would choose such a solemn ceremony as a memorial to a fallen warrior to spew their filth and hatred reflects on their personal values and beliefs. I can only state that, if their aim is to be assaulted in order to sue, they can hardy accomplish that goal if they are no longer able to communicate with the world. I despise people like that and wish them the vilest of diseases and the most henious of misfortunes.
2006-11-10 11:43:29
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answer #8
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answered by ? 5
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This group showed up to protest at the funeral of one our locals, in Southern Illinois, who was killed in Iraq also. It's enough make the blood boil. They're horrible people. They call themselves members of the Westboro Baptist Church, but they aren't Baptists. They're mainly members of the same family who do this for, God only knows, what reason!
2006-11-10 11:42:40
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answer #9
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answered by mocha5isfree 4
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They are the scum of the earth! There is a law in Illinois that they have to stay a certain distance from the funeral. God Bless all who provide a buffer zone so that the family can grieve in peace.
2006-11-10 11:36:55
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answer #10
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answered by mnwomen 7
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Where was the National Guard? or the Police?
My condolences to you and your friend's family, My praises to Hell's Angels, and My eternal contempt for those protesting idiots.
One thing's for sure, people like those protesting nuts are NOT worth dying for.
2006-11-10 13:24:05
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answer #11
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answered by betterdeadthansorry 5
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